Leicester City sacks manager Willie Kirk over alleged relationship with player

Leicester City Women’s team has decided to terminate the contract of their first-team manager, Willie Kirk, citing breaches of the ‘team’s code of conduct’ as the reason for his dismissal.

The 45-year-old’s last appearance on the touchline was during the team’s 4-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League on March 3.

Following this match, the club announced that Kirk was undergoing an internal process and would not be managing the team for their FA Cup quarter-final on March 9.

In Kirk’s absence, his assistant, Jennifer Foster, along with first-team coach Stephen Kirby, guided the team to a 2-0 victory in the FA Cup quarter-final and have continued to lead the team since then.

Kirk’s departure comes amidst allegations of a relationship with one of the players, although the specifics of this allegation have not been disclosed by the club.

In a statement, Leicester City confirmed Kirk’s dismissal, stating that an extensive internal disciplinary process had been conducted, leading to the determination that Kirk had breached the team’s code of conduct to an extent that rendered his position untenable.

As the search for a permanent replacement for Kirk begins, Foster and Kirby will continue to oversee the team’s affairs until a new manager is appointed.